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Regional Analysis Of Relationship Between Imperviousness and Impairment 42.2% of subwatersheds with impairment can be found in HUCs with >=5 percent total impervious area (TIA), even though those account for only 13.4% of the Region's subwatersheds TIA >= 5% are about 2X as likely to have a Pathogens- or Habitat Alteration-impaired waterbody, and with TIA >=10% are about 2X as likely to have a Sediment-impaired waterbody TIA >= 5% contain 49% of the Pathogens impairments, 38% of the Habitat Alteration impairments, and 32% of the Sediment impairments SC Imperviousness future projections suggest continued and more prevalent rate of degradation Population expected to increase by 1 million (2000 to 2025) 866 additional miles of stream projected to be “threatened” by development in 2025 Source: EPA/600/R-05/061 May2005

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Goals for MS4 Reporting Less Information More Information Program Outcomes TARGET!

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Implementing TMDLs Through SWMPs TMDLs are “living plans” that require measurable pollutant load reductions to be implemented TMDLs are “living plans” that require measurable pollutant load reductions to be implemented TMDLs must be maintained after the restoration goal is achieved TMDLs must be maintained after the restoration goal is achieved TMDLs should be periodically updated to reflect changing water quality conditions or growth scenarios TMDLs should be periodically updated to reflect changing water quality conditions or growth scenarios TMDL implementation requires MS4s to choose “rational” BMPs that will ultimately mitigate the impact of the MS4 load on ambient water quality TMDL implementation requires MS4s to choose “rational” BMPs that will ultimately mitigate the impact of the MS4 load on ambient water quality

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MS4s are most likely measuring the implementation of program elements (outputs) rather than impacts (outcomes) “result” MS4s are most likely measuring the implementation of program elements (outputs) rather than impacts (outcomes) “result” Specific Guidance needed for measuring pollutant load reductions Specific Guidance needed for measuring pollutant load reductions Regulators should emphasize program outcomes, not outputs Regulators should emphasize program outcomes, not outputs MS4 communities vulnerable to citizen lawsuits over TMDL implementation MS4 communities vulnerable to citizen lawsuits over TMDL implementation Implementing TMDLs Through SWMPs

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Evaluating Effectiveness of SWMP’s Current EPA OWM Guidance Current EPA OWM Guidance OWM provided an extensive list of potential reportable MS4 activities (outputs) that imply implementation of minimum control measuresOWM provided an extensive list of potential reportable MS4 activities (outputs) that imply implementation of minimum control measures OWM did not define Maximum Extent Practicable or indicate appropriate minimum levels of effortOWM did not define Maximum Extent Practicable or indicate appropriate minimum levels of effort SWMP’s are currently graded using best professional judgment (BPJ), in lieu of specific guidanceSWMP’s are currently graded using best professional judgment (BPJ), in lieu of specific guidance

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Evaluating Effectiveness of SWMP’s Post Construction Storm Water Runoff Control in New Development/Redevelopment Post Construction Storm Water Runoff Control in New Development/Redevelopment ALTERNATIVE TURNAROUNDS The reduction in impervious cover. The number of turnarounds modified. Whether or not development codes were changed to allow alternative turnarounds. The reduction in runoff quantity. Changes in the physical characteristics of streams downstream from modified areas. ALTERNATIVE TURNAROUNDS The reduction in impervious cover. The number of turnarounds modified. Whether or not development codes were changed to allow alternative turnarounds. The reduction in runoff quantity. Changes in the physical characteristics of streams downstream from modified areas. ALTERNATIVE PAVERS Whether or not development codes were changed to allow for alternative pavers. The amount of new alternative paver installations added or replaced. The number of new development sites that use alternative pavers. The reduction in runoff quantity. Changes in the physical characteristics of streams downstream from areas with alternative paver installations. ALTERNATIVE PAVERS Whether or not development codes were changed to allow for alternative pavers. The amount of new alternative paver installations added or replaced. The number of new development sites that use alternative pavers. The reduction in runoff quantity. Changes in the physical characteristics of streams downstream from areas with alternative paver installations. ALUM INJECTION Whether or not an inventory of sites where alum injection was used was completed. Changes in water quality. Changes in biological populations. ALUM INJECTION Whether or not an inventory of sites where alum injection was used was completed. Changes in water quality. Changes in biological populations. BIORETENTION The reduction in impervious cover. The reduction in runoff quantity. Changes in runoff water quality (nutrients, sediments, metals, organics, etc.). The number of new bioretention cells installed (both commercial and residential). The number of acres that are drained by bioretention cells. BIORETENTION The reduction in impervious cover. The reduction in runoff quantity. Changes in runoff water quality (nutrients, sediments, metals, organics, etc.). The number of new bioretention cells installed (both commercial and residential). The number of acres that are drained by bioretention cells. BMP INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE The frequency of inspection and maintenance activities. The number of problems that were identified and remedied. The change in the proportion of BMPs that are well-maintained as a result of inspection and maintenance. Whether or not an inventory of BMPs requiring maintenance was completed and is regularly updated. Changes in water quality of effluent from BMPs. BMP INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE The frequency of inspection and maintenance activities. The number of problems that were identified and remedied. The change in the proportion of BMPs that are well-maintained as a result of inspection and maintenance. Whether or not an inventory of BMPs requiring maintenance was completed and is regularly updated. Changes in water quality of effluent from BMPs. BUFFER ZONES Whether or not development codes were changed to require buffer zones. The acreage of land conserved as buffers. The acreage of land converted to buffers. Changes in water quality of runoff leaving buffer areas. Changes in the physical characteristics of streams downstream from areas with buffer zones. The frequency of inspections and maintenance activities in buffer zones. The acreage that drains to buffer zones ……………………………………………………………………………………. BUFFER ZONES Whether or not development codes were changed to require buffer zones. The acreage of land conserved as buffers. The acreage of land converted to buffers. Changes in water quality of runoff leaving buffer areas. Changes in the physical characteristics of streams downstream from areas with buffer zones. The frequency of inspections and maintenance activities in buffer zones. The acreage that drains to buffer zones ……………………………………………………………………………………. Example EPA-OWM Guidance

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Evaluating Effectiveness of SWMP’s Obstacles to Effective SWMPs Obstacles to Effective SWMPs Difficult for stormwater managers to articulate funding needs due to lack of specificity regarding appropriate levels of effortDifficult for stormwater managers to articulate funding needs due to lack of specificity regarding appropriate levels of effort Some TMDLs may require load reductions that are technically and/or economically unachievable?Some TMDLs may require load reductions that are technically and/or economically unachievable? A regulatory emphasis is required to increase the outcomes over outputs awarenessA regulatory emphasis is required to increase the outcomes over outputs awareness

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Summary: An EPA Watershed Coordinator's Perspective On Restoration Research Priorities Low-cost technical and financing assistance for urban stormwater Low-cost technical and financing assistance for urban stormwater Models and tools to anticipate water quality degradation trends, both current and predictive Models and tools to anticipate water quality degradation trends, both current and predictive Models and tools to associate restoration costs to development patterns (SMART Growth now or retrofit later) Models and tools to associate restoration costs to development patterns (SMART Growth now or retrofit later) Research to guide sound water quality trading concepts Research to guide sound water quality trading concepts Find new mechanisms to collaborate with USDA Find new mechanisms to collaborate with USDA

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Summary: An EPA Watershed Coordinator's Perspective On Restoration Research Priorities Improved outreach and coordination with land-use planners and decision-makers Improved outreach and coordination with land-use planners and decision-makers Economic incentives for LID and Smart GrowthEconomic incentives for LID and Smart Growth Green Sustainable InfrastructureGreen Sustainable Infrastructure Emphasis on educating citizenry with measurable behavior changes Emphasis on educating citizenry with measurable behavior changes Mechanisms to ensure that restoration projects are sustainable, maintainable Mechanisms to ensure that restoration projects are sustainable, maintainable Others? Of course there are. Help us prioritize! Others? Of course there are. Help us prioritize!

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EPA/ SCDHEC/ SCASM Partnership SCASM at the table to help define appropriate levels of effort for implementing minimum control measures and implementing TMDLs! SCASM at the table to help define appropriate levels of effort for implementing minimum control measures and implementing TMDLs! Not meant to be prescriptive, but a good starting point Not meant to be prescriptive, but a good starting point

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Promoting Local Solutions Looked at cost savings to development community by reducing impervious paving requirements Looked at cost savings to development community by reducing impervious paving requirements Should be a NYT Best Seller! Should be a NYT Best Seller!

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"Not many people have done what we're going to do," said town engineer Jeff McNesby. "But then again, there aren't many bodies of water like the May River."

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Linking Enforcement and Compliance Activities to Ambient Water Quality We need tools to link outputs such as illicit discharge detection reporting to outcomes such as ambient water quality improvement! We need tools to link outputs such as illicit discharge detection reporting to outcomes such as ambient water quality improvement! EPA R4’s Number One Priority for Water Program Enforcement is STORMWATER!!! EPA R4’s Number One Priority for Water Program Enforcement is STORMWATER!!!

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